Aqueous Float Composition for Leather Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Leather production in hard water or using incompletely delimed pelts often results in diffusion-based inhomogeneities, mottled coloration, loose-grained, or double-skinned leathers, along with pullup-like effects and unlevel dyeing.

Innovation Solution

A process involving treatment of part-processed hides or pelts with an aqueous float comprising amphiphilic organic copolymers, silicone compounds with carboxylic acid or anhydride groups, phosphorus-containing emulsifiers, N-acylated amino acids, and surface-active compounds with C10-C30 alkyl radicals or polyisobutene moieties, without waxes or oils, to enhance leather quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional polymers are used in hard water for leather treatment, then the processing can be performed, but diffusion-based inhomogeneities and mottled coloration occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleather treatment processabilityVSAvoiddye distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment composition by using specific copolymers with controlled hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and amino groups that can interact with hard water ions. This allows the process to proceed in hard water while maintaining uniform dye distribution and avoiding mottled coloration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance - a specifically designed copolymer with amino groups - that mediates between the hard water environment and the dye/fatliquor components. This intermediary prevents the harmful interactions that would otherwise cause diffusion inhomogeneities and pullup effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If incompletely delimed pelts are processed, then processing time is reduced, but pullup-like effects and unlevel dyeing occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoiddyeing uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical environment by using copolymers with amino groups that can neutralize residual alkali in incompletely delimed pelts. This allows processing to proceed without complete deliming while avoiding pullup effects and unlevel dyeing that would normally result from residual alkali interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If polymers with strong fatliquoring effect are used, then leather softness is improved, but diffusion-based inhomogeneities and loose-grained structure occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleather softnessVSAvoidgrain structure uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using copolymers with segmented structure containing both hydrophilic and lipophilic segments in specific ratios. This allows fatliquoring effect to be distributed uniformly throughout the leather matrix without causing aggregation or loose-grained structure, maintaining both softness and grain integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite copolymer structures combining different functional segments - hydrophilic parts for water solubility and uniform distribution, lipophilic parts for fatliquoring effect. This composite structure provides both softness and uniform grain structure without the inhomogeneities caused by conventional single-function polymers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process produces leathers with minimal pullup-like effects and uniform dye distribution, maintaining tight grain structure even in hard water or with incompletely delimed pelts, resulting in soft and tight-grained leather products.

Implementation Method 1

treating part-processed hides, crust leathers or pelts with at least one aqueous float comprising (A) at least one amphiphilic organic copolymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmphiphilic copolymer action: Amphiphiles

Implementation Method 2

at least one surface-active compound selected from emulsifiers having at least one phosphorus atom per molecule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface activity: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

diffusion-based inhomogeneities in fat distribution and hence a mottled coloration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 4

at least one amphiphilic organic copolymer... having at least one amino group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS8642185B2Leather production and aqueous formulations suitable therefor

Publication Date: 2014.02.04 BASF SE

AI summary

A process for producing leather comprises treating part-processed hides, crust leathers or pelts with at least one aqueous float comprising(A) at least one amphiphilic organic copolymer,(B) at least one silicone compound having at least one carboxylic acid group or at least one carboxylic anhydride group per molecule,(C) at least one surface-active compound selected from emulsifiers having at least one phosphorus atom per molecule,(D) at least one surface-active compound selected from N-acylated amino acids,(E) at least one surface-active compound comprising at least one C10-C30-alkyl radical, branched or unbranched, or at least one polyisobutene moiety, and at least one ionic or aqueous-ionizable group, other than amphiphilic copolymer (A) and surface-active compound (C),and which is free of waxes and oils.